U.S. patent application number 11/036549 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for vehicle wash apparatus.
Invention is credited to Michael Belanger.
Application Number | 20060157093 11/036549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36682600 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060157093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belanger; Michael |
July 20, 2006 |
Vehicle wash apparatus
Abstract
A vehicle wash apparatus including a carriage assembly is
supported above a vehicle. A pair of opposed shuttle assemblies are
operatively supported by the carriage assembly and moveable
generally transverse to the carriage assembly. A pair of spray
manifold assemblies are operatively supported by one of the opposed
shuttle assemblies, and each of the spray manifold assemblies
includes a vertical manifold. Each of the pair of spray manifold
assemblies are moveable rectilinearly with the carriage assembly,
transversely with the shuttle assemblies, and pivotally about the
vertical manifold to allow the pair of spray manifold assemblies to
move toward and away from one another and to circumscribe the
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Belanger; Michael; (Novi,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLISS MCGLYNN, P.C.
2075 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD
SUITE 600
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
36682600 |
Appl. No.: |
11/036549 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/123 ;
134/103.2; 134/172; 134/177; 134/199; 134/56R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 3/04 20130101; B05B
1/205 20130101; B05B 13/0278 20130101; B05B 15/652 20180201; B05B
13/0405 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/123 ;
134/172; 134/177; 134/199; 134/103.2; 134/056.00R |
International
Class: |
B08B 3/00 20060101
B08B003/00; B08B 3/12 20060101 B08B003/12 |
Claims
1. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly
adapted to be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly
along the length thereof; a pair of opposed shuttle assemblies
operatively supported by said carriage assembly and moveable toward
and away from one another in a direction generally transverse to
the rectilinear movement of said carriage assembly; a pair of spray
manifold assemblies for delivering fluid to the vehicle, each one
of said pair of spray manifold assemblies operatively supported by
a corresponding one of said opposed shuttle assemblies, each of
said spray manifold assemblies including a vertical manifold
portion operatively supported for rotational movement by a
corresponding one of said pair of shuttle assemblies about an axis
defined by said vertical manifold portion; each of said pair of
spray manifold assemblies moveable rectilinearly with said carriage
assembly along the length of the vehicle, transversely with said
respective one of said pair of shuttle assemblies to adjust the
location of said vertical manifold portion relative to the vehicle,
and pivotally about the axis defined by said vertical manifold
portion to allow said pair of spray manifold assemblies to move
toward and away from one another and to circumscribe the
vehicle.
2. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each
of said spray manifold assemblies further include a horizontal
manifold portion having an inward terminal end with each of said
inward terminal ends disposed generally opposite the other and a
flexible joint disposed between and operatively coupling the
opposed inward terminal ends of said horizontal manifold
portions.
3. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
apparatus further includes a pair of shuttle rails extending across
said carriage assembly generally traverse to the direction of
rectilinear movement thereof, each of said pair of opposed shuttle
assemblies operatively mounted to said pair of shuttle rails and
adapted to transversely move toward and away from one another.
4. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said
apparatus further includes a pair of opposed shuttle stops
operatively mounted to said carriage assembly, each of said pair of
opposed shuttle assemblies including a deflector member that is
aligned with a corresponding one of said shuttle stops and adapted
to cooperate with said shuttle stop when the corresponding shuttle
assembly is moved outward toward said shuttle stop to bias said
flexible joint and to cause said vertical manifold portion to pivot
allowing said pair of spray manifold assemblies to be driven toward
one another.
5. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each
of said shuttle stops further includes an angled face that
cooperates with said deflection members of said shuttle assemblies,
said deflection members each being operatively connected to said
vertical manifold portions of said respective spray manifolds and
extending toward said angled face of said shuttle stops such that
when either of said shuttle assemblies is driven outward toward
said respective shuttle stop, said respective deflection member is
caused to contact and cooperatively move along said angled face
thereby causing said spray manifold to pivot and flex said flexible
joint.
6. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said
angled faces of said shuttle stops are oppositely oriented to each
other across said carriage assembly such that driving one of said
shuttle assemblies toward its said respective shuttle stop causes
said pair of spray manifolds to rotate about their said axis in one
direction and driving the other said shuttle assembly to its said
respective shuttle stop causes said spray manifold assemblies to
rotate in the opposite direction.
7. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each
of said shuttle assemblies have a housing and at least one linear
bearing connected to said housing, said at least one linear bearing
operatively mounted to at least one of said pair of shuttle rails
to allow said pair of spray manifold assemblies to be moved toward
and away from one another.
8. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein each
of said housings have two linear bearings spaced apart from one
another such that each said linear bearing is operatively mounted
to one of said pair of shuttle rails.
9. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said
housing includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and walls extending
therebetween, said upper and lower plates of each housing having a
contact surface that faces the opposed shuttle assembly and that is
disposed at an angle to cooperatively engage the corresponding
contact surfaces on said upper and lower plates of the housing of
the opposed shuttle assembly when said shuttle assemblies are moved
toward one another in contacting relation.
10. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein
said apparatus further includes at least one shuttle drive assembly
adapted to operatively said shuttles bi-directionally along said
shuttle rails.
11. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein
said pair of opposed shuttle assemblies each include a shuttle
drive assembly adapted to operatively and independently move each
of said shuttles bi-directionally along said shuttle rails.
12. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein
each of said pair of shuttle drive assemblies further include a
drive motor having a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a drive belt
operatively looped therebetween, said drive belt being fixedly
mounted to one of said shuttle assemblies such that said selective
operation of said drive motor acts upon said drive belt to cause
said respective shuttle assembly to move along said pair of shuttle
rails.
13. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly
adapted to be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly
along the length thereof, said carriage assembly including a pair
of shuttle rails extending thereacross generally transverse to the
direction of rectilinear movement of said carriage assembly; a pair
of opposed shuttle assemblies operatively mounted to said pair of
shuttle rails and independently moveable toward and away from one
another in a direction generally transverse to the rectilinear
movement of said carriage assembly; a pair of spray manifold
assemblies for delivering fluid to the vehicle, each of said pair
of spray manifold assemblies including a vertical manifold portion
operatively supported for rotational movement from one of said pair
of shuttle assemblies about an axis defined by said vertical
manifold portion, each of said pair of spray manifold assemblies
rectilinearly moveable with said carriage assembly along the length
of the vehicle, transversely and independently movable with the
respective one of said pair of shuttle assemblies toward and away
from one another to adjust the location of the vertical manifold
portions relative to the vehicle, and pivotally movable about the
axis defined by said vertical manifold portion to circumscribe the
vehicle.
14. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein
each of said spray manifold assemblies further include a horizontal
manifold portion having an inward terminal end with each of said
inward terminal ends disposed generally opposite the other and a
flexible joint disposed between and operatively coupling the
opposed inward terminal ends of said horizontal manifold
portions.
15. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein
said apparatus further includes a pair of opposed shuttle stops
operatively mounted to said carriage assembly, each of said pair of
opposed shuttle assemblies including a deflector member that is
aligned with a corresponding one of said shuttle stops and adapted
to cooperate with said shuttle stop when the corresponding shuttle
assembly is moved into contact with said shuttle stop to bias said
flexible joint and to cause said vertical manifold portion to pivot
allowing said pair of spray manifold assemblies to be driven toward
one another.
16. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein
each of said shuttle stops further includes an angled face that is
exposed to and cooperates with said deflection members of said
shuttle assemblies, said deflection members each being operatively
connected to said vertical manifold portions of said respective
spray manifolds and extending toward said angled face of said
shuttle stops such that when either of said shuttle assemblies is
driven outward toward said respective shuttle stop, said respective
deflection member is caused to contact and cooperatively move along
said angled face thereby causing said spray manifold to pivot and
flex said flexible joint.
17. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein
said angled faces of said shuttle stops are oppositely oriented to
each other across said carriage assembly such that driving one of
said shuttle assemblies toward its said respective shuttle stop
causes said pair of spray manifolds to rotate about their said axis
in one direction and driving the other said shuttle assembly to its
said respective shuttle stop causes said spray manifold assemblies
to rotate in the opposite direction.
18. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein
each of said shuttle assemblies have a housing and at least one
linear bearing connected to said housing, said at least one linear
bearing operatively mounted to at least one of said pair of shuttle
rails to allow said pair of spray manifold assemblies to be moved
toward and away from one another.
19. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein
each of said housings have two linear bearings spaced apart from
one another such that each said linear bearing is operatively
mounted to one of said pair of shuttle rails.
20. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein
said housing includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and walls
extending therebetween, said upper and lower plates of each housing
having a contact surface that faces the opposed shuttle assembly
and that is disposed at an angle to cooperatively engage the
corresponding contact surfaces on said upper and lower plates of
the housing of the opposed shuttle assembly when said shuttle
assemblies are moved toward one another in contacting relation.
21. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein
said apparatus further includes at least one shuttle drive assembly
adapted to operatively said shuttles bi-directionally along said
shuttle rails.
22. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein
said pair of opposed shuttle assemblies each include a shuttle
drive assembly adapted to operatively and independently move each
of said shuttles bi-directionally along said shuttle rails.
23. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein
each of said pair of shuttle drive assemblies further include a
drive motor having a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a drive belt
operatively looped therebetween, said drive belt being fixedly
mounted to one of said shuttle assemblies such that said selective
operation of said drive motor acts upon said drive belt to cause
said respective shuttle assembly to move along said pair of shuttle
rails.
24. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly
adapted to be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly
along the length thereof; a pair of spray manifold assemblies for
delivering fluid to the vehicle, each of said pair of spray
manifold assemblies including a horizontal manifold portion, a
vertical manifold portion operatively supported for rotational
movement by said carriage assembly about an axis defined by said
vertical manifold portion, and an intermediate spray manifold
portion disposed at a predetermined angle relative to and extending
between the horizontal and vertical manifold portions; each of said
pair of spray manifold assemblies rectilinearly moveable with said
carriage assembly along the length of the vehicle, transversely
moveable to adjust the location of said pair of spray manifold
assemblies relative to the vehicle, and pivotally movable about the
axis defined by said vertical manifold portion to circumscribe the
vehicle.
25. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly
adapted to be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly
along the length thereof; a pair of spray manifold assemblies for
delivering fluid to the vehicle, each one of said pair of spray
manifold assemblies operatively supported by said carriage assembly
for rectilinear movement therewith, each of said spray manifold
assemblies including a vertical manifold portion, each of said
vertical manifold portions including a pair of rigid vertical
manifold portions with a breakaway safety joint having a flexible
coupling portion and a return biasing member defined therebetween,
said breakaway safety joint acting to allow said vertical manifold
portion to flex about said flexible coupling portion in response to
contact with an obstruction and said return biasing member acting
to bias said flexible coupling portion back into vertical alignment
when the obstruction is removed.
26. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein
said flexible coupling portion includes a flexible conduit that is
adapted to provide fluid communication between said pair of rigid
vertical portions of said vertical manifold portion and to the
vehicle throughout the full length of said vertical manifold
portion of said spray manifold assembly.
27. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein
said return biasing member includes a coiled spring that cooperates
with said flexible conduit by axially deflecting with said flexible
conduit when said respective spray manifold contacts an obstruction
and further provides a biasing force to return said flexible
conduit and said vertical manifold portion to its nondeflected
position when said obstruction is removed.
28. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein
each said breakaway safety joint further includes a first
longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, each said
longitudinal end having a connecting flange, each said rigid
portion of said vertical manifold portions further having one
flanged end respectively such that said connecting flanges of said
breakaway safety joints are operatively disposed between said
flanged ends of said rigid portions of said vertical manifold
portions.
29. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein
each of said breakaway safety joints further includes a sensor
assembly that is adapted to monitor the alignment of said breakaway
joint and operatively provides a signal to a higher level control
device when said breakaway safety joint becomes deflected.
30. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 29 wherein
each said sensor assembly further includes a sensor main body, a
sensor ring mounted to said breakaway safety joint, and a sensor
rod operatively mounted therebetween, said rod adapted to deflect
with any deflection of said breakaway safety joint and activate
said sensor main body thereby indicating a collision between said
spray manifold assembly and another object.
31. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein
each said sensor ring further includes a sensor rod opening that is
adapted to accept and receive said sensor rod, such that any
deflection of said vertical manifold portion of said spray manifold
causes said sensor ring to deflect said sensor rod thereby
activating said sensor main body of said sensor assembly.
32. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein
each said spray manifold is further pivotably mounted to said
carriage assembly to allow selective rotational movement of said
spray manifolds and said sensor rod opening of said sensor ring is
an arcuate opening, said arcuate sensor rod opening adapted to
allow said sensor ring to move about said sensor rod without
activating said sensor main body as said spray manifold pivots,
said arcuate sensor rod opening further adapted to cause said
sensor rod to deflect and activate said sensor main body when said
spray manifold is deflected out of position by an obstruction
regardless of pivotal position of said spray manifold.
33. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly
adapted to be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly
along the length thereof; a pair of opposed shuttle assemblies
operatively supported by said carriage assembly and moveable toward
and away from one another in a direction generally transverse to
the rectilinear movement of said carriage assembly; a pair of spray
manifold assemblies for delivering fluid to the vehicle, each said
spray manifold including a vertical manifold portion operatively
supported from said respective shuttle assembly; and a pair of
sensor assemblies each disposed upon one of said respective shuttle
assemblies and oriented to determine the transverse position of
said respective spray manifold assemblies with respect to the sides
of the vehicle such that said sensor assemblies sense the distance
of said spray manifold assemblies from the sides of the vehicle and
provide information to a higher level control.
34. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 33 wherein
each of said sensor assemblies are optically sensing devices.
35. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 33 wherein
each of said sensor assemblies are sonically sensing devices.
36. A vehicle washing apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein
each of said sensor assemblies further include an optically sensing
device and a sonically sensing device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to a vehicle wash
apparatus and, more specifically, to a vehicle wash apparatus
having a pair of spray arms adapted to move about the surface of
the vehicle at an optimum cleaning distance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Motor vehicles are washed and cleaned in order to preserve
and extend the life of the vehicle finish and maintain its
appearance. Automatic drive-through wash facilities that provide
this service are well known. For example, traditional tunnel,
conveyor-type wash facilities are common in this industry and
typically employ an array of equipment that sequentially treats the
vehicle as it passes through the facility. While these systems have
generally worked for their intended purpose, the traditional tunnel
systems occupy a considerable amount of space and often require a
considerable amount of maintenance to keep the associated series of
wash mechanisms operational. Further, the traditional tunnel
systems generally consume sizable amounts of water and wash
chemicals.
[0005] In addition to the tunnel systems, small bay wash systems
are also employed in the related art. These systems provide
space-savings over the tunnel conveyor systems. Accordingly, they
may be employed in a variety of locations where space is at a
premium, such as a single garage size bay in a gas station or at a
convenience store. Additionally, the small bay wash systems
generally provide directed nozzles or movable spray arms with jets
to deliver pressurized water and chemicals to the surface of the
vehicle. In this way, the small bay wash systems generally consume
far less water and chemicals as compared with tunnel systems. Given
these advantages, small bay wash systems have proliferated. Of
these, the majority are rollover type vehicle wash systems.
Rollover wash systems are so named because they move a wash
mechanism back and forth about (i.e. roll over) a stationary
vehicle. Rollover wash systems confine the wash event to one
relatively small area, which allows the water and chemicals to be
applied more effectively and efficiently.
[0006] A gantry-type system is one example of a rollover vehicle
wash system of the kind generally known in the art. The gantry
style rollover wash system includes a movable system in which the
wash mechanisms are contained within a large rigid inverted
"U"-shaped housing that surrounds the vehicle and rides back and
forth in floor-mounted tracks. However, the width of the gantry
system is not adjustable and therefore limits the size of the
vehicle that can be effectively washed and puts wider vehicles at
risk for damage. Further, the floor tracks can easily be fouled by
debris causing the gantry to stall along its travel. To counter
these problems, some gantry style systems are constructed having a
wider wash envelope that is designed to span wider vehicles. Gantry
style systems of this type typically move the track farther
outboard of the vehicle. However, with this wider structure,
smaller vehicles are not as effectively cleaned without the
addition of costly, complex spray arms that are controlled to
extend inwardly from the gantry toward the vehicle. Additionally,
properly cleaning the front and rear ends of the vehicle can be
problematic for gantry style wash systems unless further extendable
spray arms that can reach these areas are added. Ultimately,
widening the gantry so that a greater variety of vehicles can be
effectively washed and so that the tracks are less prone to fouling
causes the gantry to be much less efficient. Moreover, compensating
for the loss of efficiency by adding additional extending spray
arms increases the cost and complexity of the gantry style
systems.
[0007] In addition to the moveable gentry style devices, it is also
known to provide wash systems that employ a fixed or rigid frame. A
rigid frame wash system has a wide stationary frame that spans the
wash area and provides an overhead carriage assembly that moves
along the frame over the vehicle. This avoids the vehicle width and
floor track issues, but causes other limitations and drawbacks to
arise. For example, one conventional rigid frame wash system
includes an overhead support for a single inverted L-shaped spray
arm that extends from a centrally located shuttle. The L-shaped
spray arm has both vertically and horizontally-aimed spray nozzles
and moves longitudinally, laterally, and pivotally to circumscribe
a parked vehicle. The controlled movement of the spray arm requires
a complex and expensive mechanical system. Specifically, there are
many moving parts that are required to the constantly adjust the
single spray arm as it moves around the vehicle to keep the spray
arm at an efficient washing distance from the vehicle without
striking it. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved
vehicle wash system employed with a rigid frame that has a
mechanically simplified structure to efficiently move spray arms
about the vehicle.
[0008] Further, the location of the pivot point of the single spray
arm causes washing inefficiencies. For example, when the spray arm
reaches the ends of the vehicle, the arm must go beyond the end,
stop and then pivot 90 degrees to begin a sweep of the end surface.
In so doing, the downwardly-directed nozzles cover a sector-shaped
area of the hood and trunk lid a number of times and the
horizontally-directed nozzles spray into empty space for a
significant period. This is time-consuming, inefficient, can result
in wasted water and chemicals, and can increase the associated
sewage costs for waste water. Other conventional rigid frame type
wash systems have employed two arms from a central shuttle that are
somewhat faster, but still wasteful of water and chemicals. Thus,
there remains a need for an improved vehicle wash system employed
with a rigid frame that has two spray arms that circumscribe the
vehicle quickly and efficiently with an effective but minimal use
of water and chemicals.
[0009] In addition to these shortcomings, conventional wash systems
are easily damaged if their moving spray arms come in contact with
the vehicle. This may happen during the course of the wash event
where a malfunction of the control of the wash can cause the spray
arms to strike the vehicle, or during the movement of the vehicle
in and out of the wash area if an errant driver strikes a spray arm
with the vehicle. Regardless, the spray arms of a typical wash
apparatus are not designed to withstand an impact of this kind.
Similarly, the spray arms can cause reciprocal damage to the
vehicle in these circumstances. The resulting damage to the wash
system and to the vehicle is due to the rigid nature of the spray
arm assemblies of the conventional systems. Thus, there remains a
need in the art for a rigid frame overhead wash systems that is
configured to avoid damage to either the system or the vehicle.
[0010] In attempting to reduce any damage due to collision between
the vehicle and the wash system, some rigid frame wash systems have
employed inverted L-shaped spray arms that include breakaway
joints. However, these wash systems place the breakaway joint at
the upper, overhead pivot points so that the L-shaped spray arms
remain substantially nonflexible. This offers some protection for
the spray arm but does not prevent damage to the vehicle.
Furthermore, the typical breakaway joint requires a maintenance
technician to manually reset the spray arm in the event the arm
becomes deflected and often requires the replacement of parts of
the joint Therefore, in conventional wash systems, an inadvertent
contact with a vehicle not only causes damage to the vehicle, but
also forces the wash system to be shut down until the arm is
manually reset or repaired and the system restarted. Thus, there
remains a need in the art for an improved vehicle wash system
having spray arms with a breakaway feature that minimizes any
damage to a vehicle and that can quickly reset without requiring
any replacement of parts or other maintenance assistance.
[0011] Furthermore, the optimum vehicle wash is one in which the
spray arms are placed at a predetermined optimal distance from the
vehicle, but not so close as to strike it while circumscribing the
surface. However, the conventional wash systems do not generally
employ sensor systems to determine the actual placement or the
relative dimensions of the vehicle as it sits in the wash area then
use this information to control the spray arms. Those that do
employ rudimentary sensing devices merely do so to identify that
the vehicle is located within certain boundaries of the wash area
so that the spray arms will not likely strike the vehicle, but do
not provide this information to the electronic control unit (ECU)
to control the placement and movement of the spray arms during the
wash event. However, these systems generally do not move the spray
arms into close predetermined proximity with the sides of the
vehicle in ensure an efficient and high quality wash event each and
every time. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved
vehicle wash system that employs a sensor system to provide
specific information to a higher-level control device regarding the
distance between the spray arms and the vehicle so that the
movement of the spray arms may be optimally controlled.
[0012] Accordingly, there remains a need in the related art for an
improved vehicle wash system employed with a rigid frame that has a
mechanically simplified structure to efficiently move spray arms
about the vehicle, utilizes two spray arms to circumscribe the
vehicle quickly and efficiently with an effective but minimal use
of water and chemicals, that minimizes or prevents damage to a
vehicle and that quickly resets itself in the event of a collision
without requiring any replacement of parts or other maintenance
assistance, and utilizes a sensor system to operatively control the
movement of the spray arms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The disadvantages of the related art are overcome by the
vehicle wash apparatus of the present invention that includes a
carriage assembly adapted to be supported above a vehicle and
moveable rectilinearly along the length thereof. This wash
apparatus further includes a pair of opposed shuttle assemblies
operatively supported by the carriage assembly and moveable toward
and away from one another in a direction generally transverse to
the rectilinear movement of the carriage assembly. A pair of spray
manifold assemblies are provided for delivering fluid to the
vehicle with each manifold assembly operatively supported by a
corresponding one of the opposed shuttle assemblies. Each spray
manifold assembly includes a vertical manifold portion operatively
supported for rotational movement by a corresponding one of the
pair of shuttle assemblies about an axis defined by the vertical
manifold portion. Each of the pair of spray manifold assemblies are
moveable rectilinearly with the carriage assembly along the length
of the vehicle, transversely with the respective one of the pair of
shuttle assemblies to adjust the location of the vertical manifold
portion relative to the vehicle, and pivotally about the axis
defined by the vertical manifold portion to allow the pair of spray
manifold assemblies to move toward and away from one another and to
circumscribe the vehicle.
[0014] In another embodiment of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention, the carriage assembly includes a pair of shuttle
rails extending generally transverse to the direction of
rectilinear movement of the carriage assembly. A pair of opposed
shuttle assemblies are operatively mounted to the pair of shuttle
rails and are independently moveable toward and away from one
another in a direction generally transverse to the rectilinear
movement of the carriage assembly. A pair of spray manifold
assemblies are provided for delivering fluid to the vehicle with
each manifold assembly having a vertical manifold portion
operatively supported for rotational movement about an axis defined
by the vertical manifold portion. Each of the pair of spray
manifold assemblies are also rectilinearly moveable with the
carriage assembly along the length of the vehicle, transversely and
independently movable with the respective one of the pair of
shuttle assemblies toward and away from one another to adjust the
location of the vertical manifold portions relative to the vehicle,
and pivotally movable about the axis defined by the vertical
manifold portion to circumscribe the vehicle.
[0015] In another embodiment of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention, the pair of spray manifold assemblies includes a
horizontal manifold portion, a vertical manifold portion
operatively supported for rotational movement by the carriage
assembly about an axis defined by the vertical manifold portion,
and an intermediate spray manifold portion disposed at a
predetermined angle relative to and extending between the
horizontal and vertical manifold portions. Each of the pair of
spray manifold assemblies are rectilinearly moveable with the
carriage assembly along the length of the vehicle, transversely
moveable to adjust the location of the pair of spray manifold
assemblies relative to the vehicle, and pivotally movable about the
axis defined by the vertical manifold portion to circumscribe the
vehicle.
[0016] In another embodiment of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention, the vertical manifold portions include a
breakaway safety joint having a flexible coupling portion defined
between a pair of rigid vertical portions and a return biasing
member. The breakaway safety joint acts to allow the vertical
manifold portion to flex about the flexible coupling portion in
response to contact with an obstruction and the return biasing
member acting to bias the flexible coupling portion back into
vertical alignment when the obstruction is removed.
[0017] Still another embodiment of the vehicle wash apparatus of
the present invention includes a pair of sensor assemblies that are
each disposed upon one of the respective shuttle assemblies and
oriented to determine the transverse position of the respective
spray manifold assemblies within the carriage assembly with respect
to the sides of the vehicle such that the sensor assemblies sense
the distance of the spray manifold assemblies from the sides of the
vehicle and provide the information to a higher level control.
[0018] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention overcome the
limitations of the conventional vehicle wash systems by providing a
vehicle wash system including a rigid frame that has the advantage
of a mechanically simplified structure. The simplified structure
utilizes two independently movable spray manifold assemblies to
circumscribe the vehicle quickly and efficiently with an effective
but minimal use of water and chemicals. Another advantage of the
present invention is that the spray manifold assemblies employ
vertical, horizontal, and intermediate manifold portions to
efficiently apply the wash chemicals. Another advantage of the
present invention is that damage to the vehicle and to the wash
system is greatly reduced by breakaway safety joints in each spray
manifold assembly. Still another advantage is that the breakaway
safety joints quickly reset themselves without requiring any
replacement of parts or maintenance assistance. The present
invention also provides the advantage of efficient control of the
movement of the spray manifold assemblies by the use of sensor
assemblies to accurately determine the placement of the spray
manifold assemblies relative to the sides of the vehicle.
[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better
understood after reading the subsequent description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle wash
apparatus of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the shuttles in the extended position;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the shuttles adjusted to a predetermined
width;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the shuttles adjusted to the predetermined
width illustrated in FIG. 3; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the
breakaway safety joint of the vehicle wash apparatus of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a top view of the of the vehicle wash apparatus
of the present invention with the spray manifold assemblies
disposed in an initial extended position relative to a vehicle;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies adjusted to a
predetermined width relative to a vehicle;
[0027] FIG. 6C is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies adjusted to a
predetermined width relative to the front of a vehicle;
[0028] FIG. 6D is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies in a front
sweep relative to the front of a vehicle;
[0029] FIG. 6E is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies adjusted to a
predetermined width relative to the front of a vehicle preparatory
to a rearward sweep;
[0030] FIG. 6F is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies located at the
rear of a vehicle having completed a rearward sweep;
[0031] FIG. 6G is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies in a rear
sweep over the rear of a vehicle; and
[0032] FIG. 6H is a top view of the vehicle wash apparatus of the
present invention with the spray manifold assemblies adjusted to a
predetermined width relative to the rear of a vehicle preparatory
to a rearward sweep.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0033] A vehicle wash apparatus of the present invention is
generally indicated at 10 where like numerals are used to designate
like structure throughout the figures. The vehicle wash apparatus
10 is a rollover type system having a carriage assembly adapted to
be supported above a vehicle and moveable rectilinearly along the
length thereof. Thus, the vehicle wash apparatus 10 includes an
overhead carriage assembly generally indicated at 14. As shown in
FIG. 2, a pair of spaced longitudinal carriage rails 16 and 18 are
provide by a rigid frame assembly (not shown).
[0034] The carriage assembly 14 includes at least one carriage
drive assembly, generally indicated at 22, a pair of shuttle rails
24, 26. It should be appreciated that the carriage assembly 14 may
take on a variety of forms. For example, the carriage assembly 14
may be an enclosed housing, or simply a number of rigid pieces that
form a structural framework. Regardless, for the purposes of
discussion herein, the carriage assembly 14 provides a means to
support the elements of the present invention, and for purposes of
illustration the carriage assembly 14, as depicted in the figures,
has form of carriage end members 28, 30. The carriage drive
assembly 22 is adapted to operatively and selectively move the
carriage assembly 14 bi-directionally along the carriage rails 16,
18. The shuttle rails 24, 26 are spaced from one another and extend
laterally across the carriage assembly 14. The shuttle rails 24, 26
are operatively supported within the carriage assembly 14, and may
be mounted to the carriage end members 28, 30. A pair of opposed
shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are operatively supported by the carriage
assembly 14 and are moveable toward and away from one another in a
direction generally transverse to the rectilinear movement of the
carriage assembly 14. More specifically, the pair of opposed
shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are slidingly supported on and
operatively movable along the shuttle rails 22, 24.
[0035] As illustrated in the figures, by way of non-limiting
example, to provide movable support of the carriage assembly 14
within the frame, flanged rollers 36 are operatively mounted on
posts 38 extend from the carriage end members 28, 30 to support the
carriage assembly 14 on the carriage rails 16, 18. It should be
appreciated that the shuttle rails 24, 26 may also be extended
outward to the carriage rails 16, 18 such that the rollers 36 may
be mounted on the ends of the shuttle rails 24, 26 instead of on
separate extending posts 38.
[0036] As best seen in FIG. 1, the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 each
include a housing 40 having an upper plate 42 and a lower plate 44
spaced from one another and operatively connected by wall, or riser
plates 46. It should be appreciated that, as used herein, the terms
"upper" and "lower" are used as non-limiting words of description
in reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures. The
upper and lower plates 42, 44 of each housing 40 have a contact
surface 45 that faces the opposed shuttle assembly and that is
disposed at an angle to cooperatively engage the corresponding
contact surfaces 45 on the upper and lower plates 42, 44 of the
housing 40 of the opposed shuttle assembly when the shuttle
assemblies 32, 34 are moved toward one another in contacting
relation.
[0037] The shuttle assemblies 32, 34 further include at least one
linear bearing to facilitate their transverse movement within the
carriage assembly 14. More precisely, in the preferred embodiment
the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are supported by two linear bearings
that are formed as rail blocks. As seen in the figures, a first
rail block 48 and a second rail block 50 are each supported on the
lower plates 44 of the shuttle assemblies 32, 34. The rail blocks
48, 50 each have a rail bore 52 that is slightly larger than the
diameter of the shuttle rails 24, 26. Thus, the rail blocks
operatively function as linear bearings that are movable along the
shuttle rails 24, 26. At least one drive assembly for the shuttle
assemblies 24, 26 is provided by the present invention. In the
preferred embodiment, a shuttle drive assembly, generally indicated
at 54, is provided for each shuttle assembly 32 and 34 that is
adapted to operatively and independently move the shuttle 32, 34
bi-directionally along the shuttle rails 24, 26. The shuttle drive
assembly 54 will be discussed in detail below.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shuttle rails 24,26 also
include a plurality of holes 56 formed in a longitudinal line along
their outer surface. The holes 56 cooperate with a pair of
proximity switches 58 disposed within each of the rail bores 52 of
the first rail blocks 48. The holes 56 and proximity switches 58
detect the exact position of the shuttles 32, 34 along the shuttle
rails 24, 26.
[0039] The shuttles 32, 34 also each include a pair of spray
manifold assemblies, generally indicated at 60 and 62, for
delivering fluid to the vehicle. Each one of the pair of spray
manifold assemblies 60, 62 are operatively supported by a
corresponding one of the opposed shuttle assemblies 32, 34. More
specifically, the spray manifolds assemblies 60, 62 include a pair
of upside-down L-shaped hollow tubular members that each have a
vertical manifold portion 64 that is pivotably suspended from the
shuttles 32, 34, an intermediate spray manifold portion 66, and a
horizontal manifold portion 68. The vertical manifold portion 64
includes an upper end 72 and a lower end 74. The lower plate 40 and
upper plate 42 of each of the shuttles 32 and 34 have coaxial
manifold openings 76 that cooperate to accept and retain the upper
ends 72 of the vertical portions 64 of the spray manifolds 60, 62
as pivot points 78 (FIG. 2). The horizontal manifold portions 68
extend outward from the vertical portions 64 toward the opposing
spray manifold and have inward terminal ends 82 that are disposed
generally opposite each other. The intermediate manifold portion 66
is disposed between the horizontal and vertical spray manifolds 64
and 68 at a predetermined angle. In the preferred embodiment, the
intermediate portion 66 extends from the vertical portion 64 toward
but not connecting with the horizontal portion 68. The vertical 64,
intermediate 66, and horizontal 68 manifold portions have a
plurality of spray nozzles 70 that are adapted for delivering a
fluid solution to a vehicle.
[0040] The upper ends 72 of the spray manifolds 60 and 62 provide
an attachment point 80 for the delivery of the fluid wash solutions
to the spray manifolds 60, 62 and thereby to the spray nozzles 70
for washing a vehicle positioned within the frame. It should be
appreciated that some means of fluid connection at the attachment
points 80, such as by a flexible hose assembly, is employed to
deliver a source of pressurized wash fluids to the manifold 60, 62.
A flexible joint, generally indicated at 84, is disposed between
and operatively couples the opposed inward terminal ends 82 of the
horizontal manifold portions 68 as will be explained in greater
detail below.
[0041] More specifically, as shown in the figures, the shuttle
assemblies 32 and 34, as well as the two spray manifolds 60 and 62
are supported opposite to each other across the carriage assembly
14. The inward terminal ends 82 of the horizontal portions 68 of
the spray manifolds 60, 62 are joined to each other at the flexible
joint 84. The flexible joint 84 makes it possible for the spray
manifolds to each be operatively spaced at a predetermined distance
from the sides of the vehicle. The flexible joint 84 further allows
the shuttle assemblies 32 and 34 to be driven together on the
shuttle rails 24, 26 such that the spray manifolds 60, 62 are
rotated about the pivot points 78 and the horizontal portions 68 of
the spray manifolds 60, 62 become substantially juxtaposed next to
each other. Specifically, the flexible joint 84 interconnects each
end 82 of the horizontal manifold portions 68. The flexible joint
84 includes a swing arm 86 of a predetermined length that has a
pivot points 88 on each end. Each inward terminal end 82 of the
horizontal manifold portions 68 of the spray manifolds 60 and 62 is
rotatively joined to one of the pivot points 88 on the swing arm
86.
[0042] Each shuttle assembly 32 and 34 includes a shuttle stop 90.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for purposes of illustration, the
shuttle stops 90 may each be mounted to the inside of the carriage
end members 28 and 30. The shuttle stops 90 extend inward toward
each other and prevent the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 from traveling
too far in either direction along the shuttle rails 24, 26. Each of
the pair of opposed shuttle assemblies 32, 34 further include a
deflector member 92 that is mounted to the upper end 72 of the
vertical portion 64 of the spray manifold 60, 62 and aligned with a
corresponding one of the shuttle stops 90. The deflection members
92 are adapted to cooperate with the shuttle stops 90 when the
corresponding shuttle assembly 32, 34 is moved into contact with
the shuttle stop 90. More specifically, the shuttle stop 90 further
includes an angled face 94 that is exposed to and cooperates with
the deflection members 92 of the shuttle assemblies 32, 34. The
deflection members 92 are each fixedly mounted to the vertical
manifold portions 64 of the respective spray manifolds 60, 62 and
extend toward the angled face 94 of the shuttle stops 90. When
either of the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are driven outward toward
the respective shuttle stop 90, the respective deflection member 92
is caused to contact and cooperatively move along the angled face
94 thereby causing the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 to pivot
about the axis defined by the vertical portion 64 and flex the
flexible joint 84.
[0043] The angled faces 94 of the shuttle stops 90 are oppositely
oriented to each other across the carriage assembly 14 such that
operatively driving one of the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 toward its
respective shuttle stop 90 influences the flexible joint 84 to
deflect in a particular direction. This also causes the vertical
manifold portions 64 to rotate about their axis in one particular
direction. Operatively driving the other shuttle assembly 32, 34
toward its respective shuttle stop 90 causes the spray manifold
assemblies 60, 62 to rotate in the opposite direction. This action
adjusts the position of one or both of the vertical portions 64
toward the vehicle.
[0044] Thus, each of the pair of spray manifold assemblies 60, 62
move in a number of ways about the vehicle. First, the spray
manifold assemblies 60, 62 move rectilinearly with the carriage
assembly 14 along the length of the vehicle. Second, each of the
spray manifold assemblies 60, 62, move transversely with the
shuttle assemblies 32, 34 respectively to adjust the location of
the vertical manifold portions 64 relative to the sides of the
vehicle. Third, each of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 are
pivotally moveable about the axis defined by the vertical manifold
portion 64. Furthermore, as will be described below, this pivotal
action of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 in conjunction with
the flexing movement of the flexible joint 84, allows the spray
manifold assemblies 60, 62 to move toward and away from one another
to circumscribe the front and the rear of the vehicle.
[0045] The shuttles 32, 34 are operatively driven along the shuttle
rails 24, 26 by the shuttle drive assemblies 54. The shuttle drive
assemblies 54 each include a shuttle drive motor 100 having a drive
wheel 102, and idler wheel 104, and a drive belt 106. The drive
motor 100 is mounted to the carriage assembly 14, and for purposes
of discussion, may be mounted to one of a carriage end member 28,
30 with the idler wheel 104 mounted to the opposite end member 28,
30. The drive belt 106 is operatively looped between the drive
wheel 102 and the idler wheel 104 and is fixedly secured to one of
the shuttle assemblies 32, 34. The selective operation of the drive
motor 100 acts upon the drive belt 106 to cause the respective
shuttle assembly 32, 34 to move along the shuttle rails. It should
be appreciated that the drive belt 106 may be one of a variety of
linked chains or flexible belts that may be successfully employed
in the vehicle wash environment. Similarly, the circumferential
edge of the idler wheel 104 and the drive wheel 102 are of a form
that is operatively compatible with the chosen form of the drive
belt 106. It should be appreciated that shuttle drive assemblies 54
provide the necessary torque to over come the interaction of the
previously discussed holes 56 and proximity switches 58, which
detect the exact position of the shuttles 32, 34 along the shuttle
rails 24, 26.
[0046] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical portions 64 of
the spray manifolds 60, 62 each include a breakaway safety joint
that is generally indicated at 110. The vertical manifold portions
64 of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 64 further include a pair
of rigid vertical manifold portions 112 and 114 with the breakaway
safety joint 100 disposed therebetween. Each of the breakaway
safety joints 110 further include a flexible coupling 116 and a
return biasing member 118. The breakaway safety joint 110 acts to
allow the vertical manifold portion 64 to flex about the flexible
coupling 116 in response to the spray manifold 60, 62 coming in
contact with, or being contacted by, an obstruction. The return
biasing member 118 acts to bias the flexible coupling 116 back into
vertical alignment when the obstruction is removed.
[0047] The flexible coupling 116 is a flexible conduit that is
adapted to provide fluid communication between the pair of rigid
vertical portions 112 and 114 of the vertical manifold portion 64
thereby providing for the delivery of fluid to the vehicle
throughout the full length of the vertical manifold portion 64 of
the spray manifold assembly 60, 62. In the preferred embodiment,
the flexible coupling 116 and the return biasing member 118 are
separate components, such that the return biasing member 118 is a
coiled spring that is disposed over the flexible coupling 116. It
should be appreciated however, that the flexible coupling 116 and
the return biasing member 118 may also be a single component that
provides both fluid communication and a return biasing force, or
that the component may be otherwise combined, such as a flexible
material molded over a coiled spring. As shown in detail in FIG. 5,
the breakaway safety joint 110 further includes a first
longitudinal end 120 and a second longitudinal end 122. Each
longitudinal end 120, 122 has a connecting flange 124 and 126,
respectively. Each of the rigid portions 112, 114 of the vertical
manifold portions 64 also has flanged ends 128 and 130,
respectively. The connecting flanges 124, 126 of the breakaway
safety joints are operatively mounted between the flanged ends 128
and 130 of the rigid portions 112 and 114 of the vertical manifold
portions 64.
[0048] Thus, the breakaway safety joints 110 allow the spray
manifolds 60, 62 to be deflected without causing damage and without
sustaining damage if the vertical portion 64 of the spray manifold
60, 62 comes in contact with any obstruction. Furthermore, the
flexible coupling 116 and return biasing member 118 cause the
vertical portion 64 of the spray manifold 60, 62 to immediately
return to its normal position when the obstruction is removed while
maintaining water tight integrity.
[0049] The breakaway safety joint 110 further includes a sensor
assembly generally indicated at 140. The sensor assembly 140 is
adapted to monitor the alignment of the breakaway safety joint 110
and operatively provide a signal to a higher level control device
such as the ECU previously discussed, when the breakaway safety
joint 110 becomes deflected. The sensor assembly 140 includes a
sensor main body 142, a sensor ring 144, and a sensor rod 146. The
sensor main body is mounted to the carriage assembly 14, and more
specifically to the underside of the lower plate 44 of the
respective shuttle assembly 32, 34. The sensor ring 144 is mounted
to the flanged end 122 of the breakaway safety joint 110. The
sensor rod 146 has a proximate end 148 and a distal end 150. The
proximate end 148 is operatively mounted to the sensor main body
142 and the distal end 150 extends from the sensor main body 142
downward to operatively cooperate with the sensor ring 144.
[0050] The sensor ring 144 further includes a sensor rod opening
152 that is adapted to accept and receive the distal end 150 of the
sensor rod 146, such that any deflection of the vertical manifold
portion 64 of the spray manifold 60, 62 causes the sensor ring 144
to deflect the sensor rod 146 thereby activating the sensor main
body 142 of the sensor assembly 140. Since the spray manifolds 60
and 62 are pivotably mounted to the carriage assembly 14 to allow
selective rotational movement of the spray manifolds 60, 62, the
sensor rod opening 152 of the sensor ring 144 is further defined as
an arcuate opening. The arcuate sensor rod opening 152 is adapted
to allow the sensor ring 144 to move about the distal end 150 of
the sensor rod 144 without activating the sensor main body 142 as
the spray manifold 60, 62 pivots. However, the arcuate sensor rod
opening 152 is further adapted to cause the sensor rod 146 to
deflect and activate the sensor main body 142 when the spray
manifold 60, 62 is deflected out of vertical alignment by an
obstruction regardless of the pivotal position of the spray
manifold 60, 62 at the time. When the sensor ring 146 is deflected
and the sensor main body 142 is activated, the sensor main body 142
signals the ECU that the respective spray manifold 60, 62 is in
contact with an object. It should be appreciated that this sensor
information may be used in any of a variety of ways to control the
further actions of the wash system.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the present invention may also include a
pair of sensor assemblies 160. The sensor assemblies 160 may each
be disposed upon one of the respective shuttle assemblies 32, 34
and oriented to determine the transverse position of the respective
spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 within the carriage assembly 14
with respect to the sides of the vehicle. The sensor assemblies 160
sense the distance of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 from the
sides of the vehicle and provide the information to a higher-level
control. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor assemblies 160 are
sonically active devices to provide detection of the vehicle sides
as the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are moved into proximity to the
vehicle sides. It should be appreciated that the sensor assemblies
160 may also be optically active devices or a combination of sonic
and optic sensing devices. In this manner, the ECU controlling the
placement and movement of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 is
provided with the information regarding the proximity of the spray
manifold assemblies 60, 62 to the vehicle at all times so that the
optimum distance may be set and maintained throughout the wash
event. Furthermore, the information provided by the sensor
assemblies 160 allow the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 to be
controlled to optimally and efficiently circumscribe the vehicle
without striking the vehicle.
[0052] In operation, a vehicle is parked in a wash bay that has a
rigid frame with a pair of elevated space carriage rails of the
type of which the present invention is employed. The car wash
apparatus of the present invention may also employ additional
devices to ensure that the vehicle is generally located
equilaterally between the carriage rails and is at a predetermined
depth within the bay. For example, some type of alignment pad
having ridges accompanied by a visible indicator or sensors may be
used for this purpose. As previously mentioned, the wash apparatus
may also employ a control device such as an electronic control unit
(ECU) with stored programming that operatively controls the
functions of the rollover vehicle wash system. Furthermore, the ECU
control of the operative functions of the vehicle wash system
include not only the movement of the carriage assembly 14 and the
spray manifolds 60, 62 as will be discussed below, but also the
delivery of the pressurized wash fluids to the spray manifolds 60,
62.
[0053] Once the vehicle is in place, its specific lateral and
longitudinal location within the wash bay is determined by a sensor
such as the sensor assemblies 160. This information is used by the
ECU to move the shuttles assemblies 32 and 34 to locate the
vertical manifold portions 64 of the spray manifolds 60, 62 at a
predetermined distance from the sides of the vehicle for optimum
cleaning effect. It should be appreciated that various parameters
for controlling the wash event may be predetermined and stored by
the ECU, and that these parameters may be operatively selected by
the influence of other variables. For example, a range of distances
at which to set the vertical portions 64 of the spray manifolds 60
and 62 from the sides of the vehicle may be predetermined and
stored by the ECU and that the particular distance may be
operatively chosen by considering such variables as delivery
pressure, delivery temperature, and pH levels of the wash
chemicals. Once a determination has been made as to the desired
distance to set the spray manifolds 60, 62 from the vehicle, the
shuttles 32 and 34 are moved to position the manifold in the
designated location relative to the vehicle. To this end, the
flexible joint assembly 84 is influenced to bend in one horizontal
direction or the other so that the spray manifolds 60, 62 pivot
about pivot points 78 thereby adjusting the location of each of the
spray manifolds 60, 62 relative to the vehicle.
[0054] For example, FIGS. 6A through 6H illustrate one mode of
operation of the wash event and the movement of the spray manifolds
60, 62 for a rigid frame rollover vehicle wash system employing the
present invention. FIG. 6A illustrates the vehicle 170 after being
moved into the wash bay, generally indicated at 172. For clarity,
only the spray manifolds 60, 62, and the flexible joint 84 are
indicated above the vehicle 170. As illustrated, the vehicle 170
has a front end 174, a rear end 176, a left side 178 and a right
side 180. The heavier phantom lines 175 in FIGS. 6A through 6H
illustrate the general position of the vertical portions 64
relative to the vehicle of the spray manifold assemblies 60, 62 and
the general rectilinear path they would follow were no adjustment
of the shuttles 32, 34 made.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 6B, the sensor assemblies 160 (FIG. 4)
cooperate with the ECU to determine that the vehicle 170 is closer
to the left spray manifold 60 than the right spray manifold 62. It
should be appreciated that the ECU will also determine, as
previously mentioned, the optimum distance at which to place the
vertical portions of the spray manifolds 60, 62 from the sides of
the vehicle. In this example, the ECU determines that it is
necessary to move the right spray manifold 62 toward the right side
160 of the vehicle 170 while maintaining the present distance of
the left spray manifold 60 from the vehicle. More specifically, the
ECU makes the determination to move the right shuttle assembly 34
to bring the vertical portions 64 of spray manifolds 62 to the
lighter phantom line 177. Furthermore, a forward sweep of the
vehicle 170 is to be performed first. Thus, in preparation for
sweeping the front end 174 of the vehicle 170, it is desirable to
cause the flexible joint 84 and spray manifolds 60, 62 to pivot
toward the rear end 176 of the vehicle. To cause the spray
manifolds 60, 62 to pivot and the flexible joint 84 to give in that
particular direction, both shuttles 32 and 34 will be driven toward
the left.
[0056] As best shown in FIG. 3, the deflection member 92 on shuttle
32 will contact the angled surface 94 of the shuttle stop 90 to
cause the spray manifold 60 to pivot clockwise. Flexible joint 84
will also be influenced to deflect and cause the innermost end 82
of the horizontal manifold portion 66 of spray manifold assembly 62
to move in the direction of the rear 176 of the vehicle, causing a
counter-clockwise rotation of spray manifold assembly 62. As this
occurs, both shuttle assemblies 32, 34 may be driven toward each
other, or one shuttle may be held stationary and the other driven
individually toward it, or both may be driven in the same direction
by the shuttle drive assembly 54 depending on the determination of
spray manifold placement in regard to the sides 178, 180 of the
vehicle 170. For this example, the distance between the shuttle
assemblies 32, 34 is decreased so that both spray manifolds 60, 62
will reach the desired distance to the sides 178, 180 of the
vehicle 170, as indicated in FIG. 6B.
[0057] Once the distance of the spray manifolds 60, 62 from the
vehicle sides 178, 180 are set, the carriage assembly 14 is moved
to the front end 174 of the vehicle 170 reaching the position
indicated in FIG. 6C. It should be appreciated that throughout the
remainder of the wash event, wash chemicals are being applied
through the spray manifolds to the vehicle as determined and
controlled by the ECU programming. The ECU stops the carriage
assembly 14 when it reaches the desired position just forward of
the front end 174 of the vehicle 170. The forward stopping position
is determined to provide the optimum spray distance for the sweep
of the front end 174 by the spray manifolds 60, 62. As shown in
FIG. 6D, to accomplish a sweep of the front end 174 of the vehicle
170, the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are driven by the shuttle drive
assembly 54 toward each other so that the flexible joint 84
continues to bend and the spray manifolds 60, 62 continue to pivot
about the vertical axis defined at pivot points 78 until both the
vertical 64 and the horizontal portions 68 of the spray manifolds
are juxtaposed respectively. In this manner, the front end 174 of
the vehicle 170 is swept.
[0058] FIG. 6E shows how in preparation for the rearward sweep and
the sweep of the rear end 176 of the vehicle, the shuttles 32, 34
are drawn apart from each other, and the right shuttle 34 is driven
to the right toward its shuttle stop 90 by the shuttle drive
assembly 54. As the right shuttle 34 reaches the shuttle stop 90
the deflection member 92 engages on the angled surface 94, which
causes the flexible joint 84 to swing forward, and begin to pivot
the spray manifolds 60, 62 away from the front end 174 of the
vehicle 170. The shuttle drive assembly 54 again moves the shuttles
32, 34 to place them at the determined optimum distance from the
sides 178, 180 of the vehicle 170 and the carriage assembly 14 is
driven rearward to the position shown in FIG. 6F. In a similar way,
but opposite to the movement at the front of the vehicle 170 in
FIG. 6D, FIG. 6G illustrates how the shuttle assemblies 32 and 34
are again driven together to cause the horizontal portions 64 to
sweep the rear end 176 of the vehicle 170. Then, FIG. 6H
illustrates how the shuttle assemblies 32, 34 are again placed at
the optimum distance from the sides 178, 180 of the vehicle 170 to
allow for the next forward pass.
[0059] It should be appreciated that the movements of the carriage
assembly 14, the shuttle assemblies 32, 34, and the spray manifolds
60, 62 as shown in FIG. 6B thorough 6H may be repeated quickly and
efficiently for a number of cycles depending upon the desired
effects. For example, a first such pass may either provide a
pre-wash solution or begin with the main washing solution. Then, a
second pass could provide a rinse and a third pass a wax solution
application. It should be further appreciated that an efficient
change over of chemicals can be performed with the present
invention. By way of another example, if the application of the
main washing solution is initiated from the start position shown in
FIG. 6A and continued through FIG. 6H, then as the carriage
assembly 14 is begins to move forward, the washing solution can be
stopped and the rinse started. In this manner, the wash solution
will purge out of the spray manifolds about the time the carriage
assembly 14 passes the mid point of the vehicle 170. This is
likewise repeatable for each changeover of wash chemicals and
water.
[0060] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention overcome the
limitations of the conventional vehicle wash systems by providing a
vehicle wash system including a rigid frame that has the advantage
of a mechanically simplified structure. The simplified structure
utilizes two independently movable spray manifold assemblies to
circumscribe the vehicle quickly and efficiently with an effective
but minimal use of water and chemicals. Another advantage of the
present invention is that the spray manifold assemblies employ
vertical, horizontal, and intermediate manifold portions to
efficiently apply the wash chemicals. Another advantage of the
present invention is that damage to the vehicle and to the wash
system is greatly reduced by breakaway safety joints in each spray
manifold assembly. Still another advantage is that the breakaway
safety joints quickly reset themselves without requiring any
replacement of parts or maintenance assistance. The present
invention still further provides the advantage efficient operative
control of the movement of the spray manifold assemblies by the use
of sensor assemblies to accurately determine the placement of the
spray manifold assemblies relative to the sides of the vehicle.
[0061] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the claims, the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically described.
* * * * *